FMCSA adds to list of HOS exemptions for propane haulers

All exemptions are scheduled to continue through Feb. 11, but could be extended. (The Trucker file photo)

The Trucker News Services

1/27/2014

WASHINGTON — The Southern regional office of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration said Monday it had added to the list of Hours of Service exemptions for propane haulers previously issued by the Eastern and Midwest regional offices.

All exemptions are scheduled to continue through Feb. 11, but could be extended if extreme winter weather conditions in those regions doesn’t subside.

“This emergency exemption is issued as a result of extreme cold weather conditions causing shortages and interruptions in the availability and/or delivery of propane and other home heating fuels,” the agency said in issuing the order.

The order from the Southern region covers Louisiana, Alabama, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi and Oklahoma.

States included in the previous exemption order include Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Wisconsin as well as the District of Columbia.

“This declaration provides for the regulatory relief of commercial motor Vehicles operations while providing direct assistance supporting the delivery of propane and home heating fuels,” the FMCSA said, adding that direct relief terminates when a driver or CMV is used in interstate commerce to transport cargo or provide services not directly supporting the emergency relief effort.